US Bridges

M-38 over Silver River

Good

Houghton County, Michigan · 0.7 MI W of Baraga Col · Structure no. 000000000003399

Built
2015
10 years old
Condition
Good
inspected July 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
86 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
600
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

M-38 over Silver River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying M-38 over Silver River in Houghton County, Michigan. It was built in 2015, so it is 10 years old, younger than the Michigan average of 48.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 600 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 675 by 2035. The structure is 86 ft (26.1 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 60.3 mi (97 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesM-38
CrossesSilver River
Location0.7 MI W of Baraga Col
RouteState Highway 38
CountyHoughton County
StateMichigan
Coordinates46.76281, -88.69503
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating44.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length86 ft (26.1 m)
Longest span82 ft (25 m)
Deck width43 ft (13.2 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic600 (2015)
Projected traffic675 by 2035
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed60.3 mi (97 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was M-38 over Silver River built?

It was built in 2015, making it 10 years old in 2025.

What condition is M-38 over Silver River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in July 2023.

How much traffic does M-38 over Silver River carry?

About 600 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is M-38 over Silver River?

The structure is 86 ft (26.1 m) long with a longest span of 82 ft (25 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns M-38 over Silver River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.